Article arranging apparatus



A ril 8, 1952 D. R. HOLDREN 2,592,141

ARTICLE ARRANGING APPARATUS Filed April 9, 1949 I 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 FIG. 2.

Donald 1?. .Holdren April 8, 1952 D. R. HQLDREN 7 ARTICLE ARRANGiNG APPARATUS Filed April 9. 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 glwmm Q Zonal?! Hldren Patented Apr. 8, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTICLE ARRANGING APPARATUS Donald R. HoldreiL'West Liberty, Ohio Application April 9, 1949', Serial No. 86,431

9 CIaims. (01. 19833) This invention relates to article-arranging apparatus. More particularly, the invention is directed to apparatus capable of automatically assembling and disposing in an established definite order, a number of objects or articles originally presented to the apparatus in a state of relative disorder or misalignment. In its more specific aspects, the present invention is concerned with a machine for effecting a desired alignment of cylindrical cans of the kinds used:

in thepacking of foods and other products.

After food stuffs, for example, have been placed in cans, heat treated, sealed therein and passed through a liquid cooling bath, the cans are disposed in a disorderly manner with respect to the matter of an alignment thereof in rows permitting of rapidly executed labeling and/or boxing operations being performed thereon. At present,

'it' is customary to effect an orderly arrangement of the cans by manually executed operations, which are both slow and costly.

- Accordingly, among the primary objects of this invention are: first, to provide an improved automatically operating means whereby cylindrical cans disposed in various positions of order or disiarray on a conveyor belt are delivered to apparatus which, through engagement with the cans, automatically positions the same' in a definite regular row-forming order, whereby the same may be fed automatically to labeling or packag-.

ing machines in a manner admitting of their rapid and proper handling; secondgto provide arranging apparatus involving apair of spaced parallel revoluble rolls, one of the rolls being provided with a smooth cylindrical surface and the other with a helical rib, the rolls being operative to dispose cans engaged therewith in definite rowforming order, as the" cans advance between said rolls on a longitudinally movable conveyor; and,

third, to provide apparatus of this nature which is simple in construction, easy to maintain in operation and proper working adjustment and oneof low primary and operational costs.

.. For a further understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following descrip- 2 I taken through the apparatus on the plane disclosed by the line 4-1-4 of Fig. l;

. Fig. 5is a similar view on the line 55 of Fig, 1;

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the motor drive;

Fig. 7 is a similar view of the drive belt mechanism for operating the revoluble rolls of the apparatus;

Fig. 8 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 8-8 of Fig. 3.

in various order thereon for longitudinal travel.

While the apparatus maybe employed in different locations in a canning factory, I have found that it may be installed advantageously for -2o the purpose of taking scrambled cans of food stuffs from a cooling pit or tank-conveyor, and

straightening or unscrambling the cans, and directing same into a track which carries the cans to labeling and/or boxing machines.

25. Primarily, the-machine consists of two rolls, in-

dicated at [3 and M in the drawings, a belt con- ;veyor l5 disposed between and below the longitudinal axes of the rolls, a sorting mechanism, indicated at [6 in the drawings. and disposed at the can-discharging end of the conveyor l5, and a return conveyor l'l, all these parts being suitably carried by the frame structure I0 and forming constituent parts of the complete machine.

The roll l3 may be formed from a desired length of standard metal pipe, having a smooth cylindrical outer surface on which is mounted by welding a helical rib or flight 18. This rib or flight has a lead such that the resulting space between each flight, when the same is viewedin a longitudinal plane, is slightly less than the length or height of the can. The complemental roll I4 is formed from a length of standard pipe of about the same diameter .as the roll [3, but has its smooth outer peripheralsurface formed without The countershaft 23, in this instance, is provided with a sheave 24, rotatable with the belt wheel 22, and around which passes an endless drive belt 25, which leads to an enlarged belt wheel 26 fixed upon a transversely journaled drive shaft 2'! for the conveyor belt I I. The drive shaft may be equipped with a belt roll at the discharge end of the conveyor around which the conveyor belt II passes for guidance and driving purposes. Also, the belt II is trained around a second roll 28 mounted on a freely turnable shaft 29 which is supported for rotation in bearings carried by the forward or can-receiving end of the frame structure II), as shown more particularly in Fig. 2'; The frame structure may be provided with upstanding side boards 30 to retain the cans I2 against lateral displacement while the same are being moved longitudinally in the direction of the arrow at on the conveyor I I.

As shown especially in Figs. 1 and 3, thecans I2 positioned and traveling on the upper run of the conveyor belt I I are in various positions: that is, erect or lying on their sides, with their longitudinal axes arranged in parallel order or in relatively angular order, the cans occupying positions on the belt I I produced throughthe operation of the associated cooling pit conveyor. The purpose of the present invention, as previously stated, is to rearrange the cans automatically in orderly rows suitable for high speed operations onv the part of associated labeling or boxing machines. To accomplish this, the frame structure I is provided at the discharge end of the belt II and above the rolls I3 and I4 with a generally rectangular guide frame having downwardly inclined walls 3|, by means of which the cans released from the-belt II are delivered gravitationally to the belt conveyor I5 for disposal between the rolls I3 and I4.

As shown more particularly in Figs; 3 and 5, the lead of the rib or flight I8 is such that-the spaces formed between the same and the smooth outer surface of the companion roll I4 are sumcient to accommodate but a single can, since the diameter of each can is such as to permit the same to be received when in an upright or erect position between the smooth outer peripheral surfaces of said rolls but not if the cans were positioned between a portion of the helical rib or flight and the roll I4.

Preferably, the rotational speed of said rolls and the linear speed of the belt I5 are coordinated so that the cans move along the rolls in parallel relation thereto on the belt- I5 without undue friction or crowding of the rolls.

. Any suitable and convenient means may-be employed for imparting movement to the belt I5 and its associated rolls I3 and I4. In this instance, the frame structure III has been shown as equipped with an electric drive motor 32, the'armature shaft of which is provided with a sheave 33 around which passes one or more endless V-belts 34, the latter driving an enlarged belt wheel 35 fixed on a longitudinally extending shaft 36.

The belt I5 passes at its ends around rolls-indicated at 31, which are suitably supported by shafts indicated at 38 and 39 in bearings 40 carried by the frame III. The shaft 39, at the discharge end of the conveyor I5, has keyed on one end thereof a belt wheel 4I around which passes an endless belt 42, the latter being also passed around a sheave 43 mounted in the shaft 36. The sheave 43 and the belt wheel M are. disposed in relatively perpendicular planes, and the belt 42 is,

therefore, trained around a guide structure 44 so that it may be twisted in the intermediate runs thereof for adaptation to the operating planes of the wheel M and the shaft 43. Through this arrangement, the belt I5 may be driven at a desired linear rate of speed for conducting the cans I2 between the rolls I3 and I4. The shaft 43 may be of the type having an adjustable pitch diameter which may be varied through adjustment to control the speed of operation of the main belt I5.

To effect the rotation of the order-arranging rolls I 3 and I4, the latter may be provided at their forward ends, as shown in Fig. '7, with sprocket wheels 45 and 46. Passing over the sprocket wheel 45 and under the sprocket wheel 46 is an endless chain 41,. the latter also passing over a guide sprocket 48 so disposed as to enable the chain to make-proper extended contact with the sprocket '46. From theguide sprocket 48, the chain 41 extends over a drive sprocket 49 which is carried by-one'end of the longitudinally extending shaft 36. By training the chain 41, as disclosed, around the sprocket wheels 45 and 46, the rolls I3 and I4 rotate in the opposite directions, indicated by the arrow 0 in Fig. 7.

The rolls I3 and I4 are positioned with their ends in parallel relationship and at such a distance apart that the cans could pass between the rolls if it were not for the helical flight or rib I8 on the roll I3. This rib or flight causes the cans leaving the hopper boards 3I to drop on end between the rolls and onto the moving conveyor belt I5. When the rolls are rotated in the manner indicated by the arrows c in Fig. '7, and with the belt I5 moving in the direction disclosed by the arrow d of Fig. 3, traveling pockets or spaces between the rolls are produced for. the individual cans. The motion of the rolls tends to adjuster move the cans until they find. a space in. whichto drop, after which they are, supported and carried along by the upper run. of the belt I5, barely touching the helical rib or flight which functions only as a spacer after the cans have found an upright position between the leads thereof. Should cans be introduced to the rolls in excessive quantities, the extra cans will ride on top of the cans which have found spaces between the rolls. At aspace betweenthe discharge end of the rolls and the entrance of the track structure T, the extra cans are scraped or forced oil to one side and returned to the receiving end of the conveyor rollsby the belt I'I.

Thus as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the frame structure includes a diverting baffle 50 having an angular side 5I', which is mounted on the frame win a horizontal plane above the belt I5 in a manner causing cans superimposed on those directly in contact with the belt I5 to be moved laterally to one side and directed by a chute 52 upon the lower receiving end of the return conveyor IT. This conveyor is formed with spaced cross flights 53 so that the cans may be elevated and restored to the magazine or hopper 3I. Such restoration is effected by the provision of a second chute 54, which is arranged at the upper or discharge end of the conveyorbelt I! and is inclined downwardly and inwardly to direct cans released from the belts I! in a lateral direction for deposit or redeposit in oron the rolls I3 and I4.

The track structure T is of conventional formation and is so formed as to turn the cans introduced therein from vertical positions to substantially horizontal positions, so that they may be allowed to roll to the labelingand boxing devices,

not shown.

To drive the return belt II, the latter is provided at one end with a drive shaft 55 to which is secured a gear 56. This gear meshes-with a similar gear 51 arranged on a countershaft 58 below the shaft 55 and supported by the frame structure of the conveyor belt IT. The shaft 58 is driven by an endless belt or chain drive 59 from the head shaft 21 of the conveyor H.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides a machine which operates at high speed and capacity for arranging cylindrical bodies in a desired order, such a machine being known in the art as an unscrambling machine. The cans being handled by the apparatus move forwardly and longitudinally at a high rate of linear travel, and when the ap paratus is functioning normally, there is no interruption in the longitudinal advance of the cans. The cansjdo not remain stationary in the region defined by the walls 3|, and even those cans arranged above those deposited on the belt l5 and disposed between the rolls I3 and [4, continue to move longitudinally of the machine toward the dischargeend thereof. If the cans do not find deposit on the upper run of the belt I5 by the time they have passed the rolls l3 and M, such superposed cans are engaged by the 'diverter 50 and moved into the chute 34 for deposit on the 6 said frame, one only ofsaid rolls being provided with a longitudinally extending helical rib, said rib cooperating with a plain cylindrical surface present on-the periphery-of the other of said rolls to form traveling article-receiving pockets between said rolls, a base conveyor supported by said frame having an upper run movable below and in registry with an article-space present belatter should become clogged, as through the presence therein of an improperly positionedfor T- vwedged can, automatic relief is provided by'the follows. As the belt conveyor moves forwardly,

this non-alignment will cause the can, which has been thrown out of alignment by the protuberance 60; to be squeezed sidewise and into the chute 34 leading to the return conveyor, thus recirculating the cans automatically until" the obstructing condition is removed.

While I have set forth what I consider to be the preferred embodiment of the present invention, nevertheless, the same is subject to certain modification or variation without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for aligning articles disposed in helter-skelter relationship comprising a frame, a pair of spaced parallel rotating rolls mounted on said frame, one only of said rolls being provided with a longitudinally extending helical rib, said rib cooperating with a plain cylindrical surface present on the periphery of the other of said rollsto form traveling article-receiving pool;- ets between said rolls, and a base conveyor supported by said frame having an upper run movable below and in registry with an article-space present between said rolls to effect the support of articles independently of said rolls and move said articles longitudinally between said rolls in a manner normally independently of said helical rib.

2. A apparatus for aligning articles disposed in helter-skelter relationship comprising a frame, a

tween said rolls to effect the support of articles independently of said mus and move said arti-"- cles longitudinally between said rolls in a manner normally independently of said helical rib, and coordinated means for imparting rotation to said rolls and movement to said conveyor at-relative speeds so timed that themovem'ent-of the articles between said rollsis eifectedbysaid conveyor, the rolls and the rib thereon-serving to form traveling pockets in which articles are individually received and maintained in-longitudinally aligned upright positions while moving with said conveyor. r

3. In apparatus for arranging cylindrical cans disposed in'relatively helter-skelter order in a longitudinally'aligned vertical order, a frame, a pair of relatively spaced parallel cylindrical rolls mounted for rotation on said frame, one only of said rolls bei'ng provided with a longitudinally extending helical rib on its outer surface, said rib cooperating with the plain cylindrical surface present on the periphery of the other of said rolls to form traveling article-receiving pockets between said rolls, a belt conveyor supported by saidframe with its upper run arranged in registry with the space formed between and below said rolls, said belt serving toeifect the support of articles positioned in the traveling pockets provided between said rolls by said rib, co-

ordinated driving means for imparting rotation relative speeds so timed'that the movement of the articles between said rolls is effected by said conveyor, the spacing between the plain cylindrical surfaces of said-rolls being such as to receive therein a cylindricalcan i'nan upright position and the space between the crest portions of said rib andthe plain cylindrical surface of the adjacent roll being lessthan that of the diameter of said cans, whereby to produce the said traveling pockets between said rolls.

4. In apparatus for arranging cylindrical cans disposed in relatively helter-skelter order in a longitudinally aligned vertical order, a frame, a pair of relatively spaced parallel cylindrical rolls mounted for rotation on said frame, one only of said rolls being provided with a longitudinally extending helical rib on its outer surface, said rib cooperating with .the plain cylindrical surface present on the periphery of the other of said rolls to form traveling article-receiving pockets between said rolls, a belt conveyor supported by said frame with its upper run arranged in registry with the space formed between and below said rolls, said belt serving to effect the support of articles positioned in the traveling pockets provided between said rolls by said rib, coordinated driving means for imparting rotation to said rolls and movement to said conveyor at relative speeds so timed that the movement of the articles between said rolls is effected by said conveyor, a delivery conveyor, and a hopper supported by said frame above said rolls in registry with the discharge end of said delivery conveyor, said hopper receiving'the cans disposed in helterskelter order for deposit in longitudinal rows pair of spaced parallel rotating rolls mounted on 7 in the pockets provided between said rolls.

- =5. In apparatus forarranging cylindrical cans disposed inrelatively helter -skelter order in a longitudinally aligned vertical order, a frame, a pair of relatively spaced parallel cylindrical rolls mounted for' rotation on said frame, one only of said rolls being provided with a longitudinally extending helical rib on its outer surface, said rib cooperating with the plain cylindrical surface present on the periphery of the other of said rolls to form traveling article-receiving pockets between said rolls, a belt conveyor supported by said frame with its upper run arranged in registry with the space formed between and below said rolls, said belt serving to effect the support of articles positioned in the traveling pockets provided between said rolls by said rib, coordinated driving means for imparting rotation to said rolls and movement to said conveyor at relative speeds so timed that the movement of the articles between said rolls is effected by said conveyor, and delivering means for depositing cans in a helter-skelter order on the receiving or forward ends of said rolls to enable the latter to alignsaid cans in longitudinal order upon their release from the discharge ends of said rolls.

6. In apparatus for arranging cylindrical cans disposed in relatively helter-skelter order in a longitudinally aligned vertical order. a frame. a pair of relatively spaced parallel cylindrical rolls mounted for rotation on said frame, one only of said rolls being provided with a longitudinally extending helical rib on its outer surface, said rib cooperating with the plain cylindrical surface present on the periphery of the'other of said rolls to form traveling article-receiving pockets between said rolls. a belt conveyor supported by said frame with its upper run arranged in re istry with the space formed between and below said rolls, said belt serving to effect the support of articles positioned in the traveling pockets provided between said rolls by said rib, coordinated driving means for imparting rotation to said rolls and movement to said conveyor at relative speeds so timed that the movement of the articles between said rolls is effected by said .conveyor, delivery means for depositing cans in a helter-skelter order on the receiving or forward ends of said rolls to enable thelatter to align said cans. in longitudinal order upon their release from the discharge ends of said rolls, and transfer mechanism for the reception of the cans discharged from said rolls and belt conveyor. i

7. An apparatus. for aligning articles disposed in helter-skelter relationship comprising a frame. a pair of elements mounted on said frame, said elements being horizontally spaced from one another to provide a space for receiving the articles. one of said elements being a roll provided with a longitudinally extending helical rib on the periphery thereof, means for rotating the roll element, the other of said elements forming a plain surface extending parallel with the confronting peripheral surface of the roll element, a base conveyor supported by said frame having a run movable below the spaced elementsandcooperating with said elements and rib to provide a plurality of article-receiving pockets and to effect bottom support of articles and move said articles longitudinally between said elements, means for moving the conveyor and means for delivering articles to one. end of said elements.

8. Apparatus such asthat defined in claim 7 and including a transfer mechanism for the reception of cans discharged from the base conveyor when seated in upright position and for effecting misalignment of the upright cans between the conveyor and transfer mechanism.

9. Apparatus such as that defined in claim 7 and including a transfer mechanism for the reception of cans discharged from the base con- DONALD R. HOLDREN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,649.304 Gray Nov. 15, 1927 2,377,431 Lakso June 5. 1945 2,496,019 Peel Jan. 31, 1950 

